Do you consider yourself as “disabled” or a “person with disabilities”?

Do you consider yourself as “disabled” or a “person with disabilities”? | April 11, 2025

It’s an interesting and provocative question.

One that author Erica Mones brings up in her article: “I Refer to Myself as Disabled, Because My Disability Is Central to Who I Am.”

I think each of us will react differently and defend our decision in a unique and personal way.

Hence, the reason for this article.

Does your disability define you or are you defined by your disability?

One of my favorite quotes which I came across years ago (I can’t remember where) is:

Disabled = Dis+abled.

And that is where I stand.

See Erica Mones’ argument in the link below and tell us what you think…

https://www.popsugar.com/fitness/why-i-use-identity-first-language-as-disabled-person-48170684?utm_medium=10today.media.thur.20210311.436.1&utm_source=email&utm_content=article&utm_campaign=10-for-today—4.0-styling

Posted in Epilepsy
Tags: able or disabled?

5 Comments »

It’s a tough argument.
As someone who is looking for a job right now, I usually have to put ‘choose not to answer’ under ‘Do you have a disability?’ Because I know it will hurt my chances (based on experience)

In medical organizations, epilepsy is considered a ‘disease’ now 😦

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Comment by Tyler King — April 11, 2025 @ 11:26 AM

Reply
It is a very tough decision. And I must confess : I lied.

I had auras which gave me a fortunate 15 minute “window of opportunity” before a seizure seized me.

I’m not recommend lying. But as a writer – who had few meetings and presentations – I was not as affected by the nasty shoals of seizures.

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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — April 11, 2025 @ 11:47 AM

Reply
In some respects.

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Comment by Royvickie — April 11, 2025 @ 7:24 PM

Reply
I stopped having seizures 10 years ago but I still answer yes to that question on job applications. Based on ADA definition that’s the correct answer, as I had refractory seizures for decades. I work at a large university. The big reason I say “yes” is that there’s strength in numbers. I’m active on the disabilities employee resource group, so I can keep my pulse on how my employer is treating employees with disabilities. The other reason I say yes is that even with brain surgeries, my seizure-freedom may not last forever. If I started having seizures again and that impacted my ability to complete my job in any way, my employer would have to accommodate me. The fact that I was transparent on my job application makes that case even stronger.

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Comment by lauraberetsky — April 12, 2025 @ 1:38 PM

Reply
- Bravo! You have the strength and integrity, I lacked.
  
  Does it matter that I’m an epilepsy advocate now? And that I spend most of my time working on/with epilepsy issues?
  
  Yes, I’m very active, but I wish I wasn’t in the closet for so very long.
  
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  Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — April 12, 2025 @ 4:17 PM
  
  Reply

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It’s a tough argument.
As someone who is looking for a job right now, I usually have to put ‘choose not to answer’ under ‘Do you have a disability?’ Because I know it will hurt my chances (based on experience)

In medical organizations, epilepsy is considered a ‘disease’ now 😦

LikeLiked by 1 person

Comment by Tyler King — April 11, 2025 @ 11:26 AM

It is a very tough decision. And I must confess : I lied.

I had auras which gave me a fortunate 15 minute “window of opportunity” before a seizure seized me.

I’m not recommend lying. But as a writer – who had few meetings and presentations – I was not as affected by the nasty shoals of seizures.

Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — April 11, 2025 @ 11:47 AM

In some respects.

LikeLike

Comment by Royvickie — April 11, 2025 @ 7:24 PM

I stopped having seizures 10 years ago but I still answer yes to that question on job applications. Based on ADA definition that’s the correct answer, as I had refractory seizures for decades. I work at a large university. The big reason I say “yes” is that there’s strength in numbers. I’m active on the disabilities employee resource group, so I can keep my pulse on how my employer is treating employees with disabilities. The other reason I say yes is that even with brain surgeries, my seizure-freedom may not last forever. If I started having seizures again and that impacted my ability to complete my job in any way, my employer would have to accommodate me. The fact that I was transparent on my job application makes that case even stronger.

Comment by lauraberetsky — April 12, 2025 @ 1:38 PM

Bravo! You have the strength and integrity, I lacked.

Does it matter that I’m an epilepsy advocate now? And that I spend most of my time working on/with epilepsy issues?

Yes, I’m very active, but I wish I wasn’t in the closet for so very long.

LikeLike

Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — April 12, 2025 @ 4:17 PM

Epilepsy Talk